Fire Protection Engineer | 10+ years

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. is seeking a committed Fire Protection Engineer to join our Chicago or Northbrook office. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience in designing fire protection systems and will be responsible for managing multiple projects, conducting inspections, and preparing detailed reports for clients.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in fire protection engineering and a licensed Professional Engineer status. This position requires strong analytical skills and familiarity with various fire modeling tools. WJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in fire protection engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (FPE) or EIT in pursuit.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects and act as primary contact with clients.
• Perform on-site investigations and inspections.
• Analyze field data and interpret model results.
• Prepare client deliverables including reports and specifications.

Skills

Designing fire protection systems

Building code analysis

Fire modeling

Effective communication

Proactive team player

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fire protection engineering

Master’s degree in fire protection engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS)

PyroSim

Smokeview

Pathfinder

CFAST

Job description

A dynamic, diverse team at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) is seeking a curious, committed, and enthusiastic Fire Protection Engineer to join our offices in Chicago or Northbrook, Illinois.

Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility for the day‑to‑day success of multiple projects, acting as the primary point of contact for clients, contractors, and project teams; train and mentor teammates; manage small‑to‑medium projects as appropriate.
• Perform on‑site investigations, condition assessments, and inspections, including surveying, documenting deficiencies, field testing, collecting data and samples, and preparing site visit reports.
• Develop fire growth, smoke movement, and egress zone models.
• Analyze field data, interpret model results, and conduct research and review of construction documents, governing codes, and design guidelines to facilitate analysis, problem solving, and development of alternative designs for fire protection systems, building codes, and life‑safety objectives.
• Prepare conceptual, preliminary, and final client deliverables, including written reports, calculation packets, construction documents, and project specifications.
• Contribute to company‑wide objectives through involvement in office development initiatives, Technical Resource Groups (TRGs), research projects, and relevant industry committees and professional organizations (e.g., SFPE).

Qualifications / Competencies

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience including designing or evaluating fire protection systems, building code analysis, development of equivalencies, or complex fire, smoke, and egress modeling.
• Bachelor’s degree in fire protection engineering or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (FPE). EIT in pursuit of PE will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
• Effective technical, graphical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with drafting, analysis, and modeling software such as AutoCAD, Revit, Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), PyroSim, Smokeview, Pathfinder, and CFAST.
• Proactive, team‑player mindset with willingness to take on various responsibilities, tackle new challenges, and learn new skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing demands while maintaining productive interpersonal relationships and a high standard of excellence, integrity, and attention to detail.

WJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. WJE will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Fair Chance Ordinances.